Gate latch



" Jan 6, 1931. w. A. McCULLOCH GATE LATCH Filed Dec. 22, 1928 I Patented Jan. 6, 1931 fumes sures QFFICE-i WILLIAM A. Mc'CTILLOCI-I, or coornnsrown, non'rnnnno'rn GATE LATCH App1ication filed December 22,1928. SerialNoi 327,970.

This invention relates to the class of locks and latches and pertains particularly to a gate latch.

The primary object of the present invention is to providean improved type of latch designed particularly for attachmentto'a gate body to engage a post formed upon its inner face to provide a keeper.

The majority of latches are at the present time attached to a post of a gate Opening to engage the gate body when the same is swung to a closed position and these latches, because they project from the gate post into the gate opening, are frequently broken 01f by stock or machines passing through the gate. In the presentinvention the latch is designed for attachment to the gate body to engage in a keeper member formed in the gate post.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch of simple construction designed such changes or modifications mark nomaterial departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed claims. r

In the drawing f V s Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the latch structure embodying this invention, showing the same applied to the forward bar of a gate and connected with a gate post,

Figure 2 is an. elevational view of the inner face of the gate post showing the keeper member for the latch finger and the latch finger in t ansverse section. v

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line of Figure 1 a fragmentary section being taken through the latch and plates at the pivot bolt.

Referring to the drawing in detail where- 5 in like numerals of reference indicate correin the appended p vided with a recess 10 and the face of the spending parts throughout the several views, the numerals 1 and 2 indicate respectively avertical' gate bar and a gate post, the gate bar being shown with the latch member embodying the present invention, andindicated generally by the numeral '3. applied thereto.

As shown thelatch structure comprises a pair of complementary elongated rectangular plates 4 each being formed adjacent one end .to provide a transverse substantially semicylindrical channel 5 designed toreceh e the bar 1 in the manner shown.

JlVhen' the plates 4 are secured to a gate bar of tubular m'aterlal such as the one shown they are arranged in spaced substantially horizontal and parallel relation with the bar positioned therebetween and in theopposed channels 5. Suitable securing bolts 6 are passed through the plates on opposite sides of the bar todraw the plates together to securely clamp the same therebetween.

Asshown the longer ends of the plates at project from the gate bar 1 toward the fence post 2 and extending through the plates adjacentthe forward ends is a pivot bolt 7 and forwardly of and beneath this belt is a transverse stop bolt 8.

. A latch finger 9 having one end interposed between the extended ends of the plates l is traversed by the pivot bolt 7 to swing thereon andwhen in down position or in a position substantially parallel with the plates rests upon the stop 8 in the manner shown.

The-inner face of the fence post :Zis pro post has attached thereto a keeper plate 11 into therecess 10.; \Vhen the gate to which the latch is attached is inclosed position and the latch finger permitted to swing downwardly the free outer-end thereof will swing through the slot 12 of theplate ll into the recess 10 and will thus latch the gate in closed position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that whenthe latch finger 9 is swung to raised'position it will be supported in rearwardly inclined position against the gate bar 1 to which its supporting through which aslot 12 is formed to open plates 4 are secured. Then the gate is'swung to closed position all that is necessary to sooure it isto swing the latch finger over so that it will. drop to rest upon the stop bolt 58 at'whieh-time the outer free, end thereof will move intothe recess 10 in the manner described, I

While the drawing shows plate members 4 formed for attachment to the bar of a gate 10 formed of tubular material it is of course,

to be understoodthat I do not wish to belin1- ited to such structure for it is apparent that the device may be as readily constructed for application to gates in which the bars are of 5 square cross section or of any other cross'sec tional design. Y I

Having thus described my invention what I claim is I 1. A latch member of the character described comprising a pair of plates designed to be anged in spaced side by side relation upon opposite sides of a supporting upright, said plates being formed to receive the upright. holding members connecting, the plates- :5 and drawing the same to clamping engagement with the upright, a latch finger designed to engage a keeper member, having one end pivotally mounted between the forward ends of the plates, and a supportingstop member 7 so connectin between the lates forwardly of the latch member to maintain the latch in ho rizontal keeper engaging position. L

2. A latch member of the character described comprising a pair of plates designed to be arranged in spaced side by side relation upon opposite sidesot a supporting upright, said plates being formed to receive the upright, holding members connecting the plates and drawing the sameto clamping en- 4 gagement wi h the upright, a latch finger de signed to engage a keeper member, having one end pivotally mounted between the forward ends of the plates, and a supporting stop member connecting the plates forwardly loi tl e lat-ch member to maintain the latch in 4 horizontal keeper engaging position, said latch being positioned with respect to the plate supporting body to swing its free end- 7 into contacttherewith torest ininclined posi- P 50 tion thereagainst.

- In testimony whereof I hereunto 'afiix my signature. 1 v V VJILLlAM A. *BIGOULLOOH. I I 

